THIS crumbling Worcester house still looks like it's falling apart - but better times could finally be around the corner.

Residents say they are getting increasingly fed up about the state of it, but your Worcester News can reveal how Councillor Allah Ditta has secured permission to alter his plans for 66 Timberdine Avenue in Battenhall.

The former Mayor of Worcester was heavily criticised when we revealed how the city council threatened to demolish it due to April's building work making it temporarily unsafe.

Now Cllr Ditta has now secured the green light for a series of amendments, including patio door access to one of the six bedrooms, wooden construction for the balcony and new locations for the windows and doors leading to a plush underground swimming pool.

The changes have given fresh hope to people living in the area, who say it still looks a mess.

Brian Clover, 51 who lives in Timberdine Avenue, said: "It's been a wreck for so long I can barely remember when it looked respectable.

"I think we will all be happier when he's finally sorted it out."

The site is owned by his daughter Parlen Akhtar, but Cllr Ditta says he is doing most of the work himself and is acting as the agent.

His revised plans were voted through by Worcester City Council's planning committee.

Councillor Geoff Williams, the committee chairman, said: "The only question I would have is, can we do anything to prompt a completion of this scheme?"

Planning officer Nichola Robinson said there was not, and it was then nodded through.

Cllr Ditta said: "I want to get it finished as quickly as possible but obstacles have got in my way."

His grand plans for it include six bedrooms, two lounges, two main halls, a swimming pool, jacuzzi and even a sauna.

In the last year since planning permission was granted the council has already got one court order forcing him to make it safe after the foundations became dangerously overloaded, and in April threatened to demolish the entire building unless he took immediate action to secure it.

A supporting wall, the roof and entire back of the house has been torn down to make it safe.

The original permission included a two-storey front and back extension, a lower ground floor and a side and back balcony.

What are the odds of him getting the foundations correct for his swimming pool?
He has already dangerously overloaded the foundations once. Pools are incredibly heavy.
For the sake of the local residents I hope that there is a very careful eye on the foundations from the Building Control Department.
When he starts digging out for the pool it is very possible that he could collapse the whole house. That would certainly bring an end to this whole saga.

What are the odds of him getting the foundations correct for his swimming pool?
He has already dangerously overloaded the foundations once. Pools are incredibly heavy.
For the sake of the local residents I hope that there is a very careful eye on the foundations from the Building Control Department.
When he starts digging out for the pool it is very possible that he could collapse the whole house. That would certainly bring an end to this whole saga.New Kid on the Block